Just Grapes to reopen in June

When Don Sritong shuttered his West Loop location of Just Grapes wine shop in January 2012 after seven years and lease negotiations that faltered, he didn't know what the future held. But after considering moving his family back to the West Coast and entering other business ventures, Mr. Sritong decided to stay in Chicago and is now set to embark on Just Grapes 2.0.

After months of city permit issues and pushback from neighborhood groups (some residents were concerned it was going to be a "corner liquor store selling Schlitz"), Mr. Sritong was finally able to apply for a new liquor license with the goal of opening Just Grapes this June in a 750 square-foot retail space at 1149 N. State St. in a former flower shop.

This location is a fraction of the size of the original 4,000-square-foot Washington Street spot but will offer the same quality wine and service as before. Just Grapes still will sell handpicked, artisan wines ranging from $10 to $250 a bottle, with a majority in the $15-to-$25 range. The shop will again organize wines based on flavor and grape type (delicate to robust, fruit-driven, earthy or complex) and will have automated tasting stations.

Mr. Sritong also will offer select craft beer and some small-batch spirits and plans to sell cheese, charcuterie and other gourmet food eventually. He'll also offer free neighborhood delivery. Come fall, Mr. Sritong said he'll team up with a still-unnamed Lincoln Park restaurant to hold wine-and-food pairing classes.

Depending on the success of the new shop, Mr. Sritong and his investors hope to expand the concept and open Just Grapes in more locations around the city. "This is a test model in a very good location with a ton of foot traffic and the right demographic without a competitor, " he said. Before he gets ahead of himself, he said, he is just excited to get the first spot open. "It's been a long process, but my blood is flowing again," he said. "I just want to get it going and get my first customer in the store."